1st Step

Get there! I need to get to the pool. I am in this power wheelchair. It is huge, combersome, doesn't like water..nope it will not get me to the pool. I need a manual chair. ...big wheels push yourself. After running round and round with Medicare ...bottom line they will not provide a manual chair, so I begged and pleaded and Empire Wheelchair in Ballston Spa NY agreed to help me .Thank You Norm.
I am told that I must wear a lifejacket with this piece of equipment...mandatory no exceptions. So I have it. Its bulky and ...well more about that laater.
LOBOS, let me tell you about the equipment I have been given to try. They are called Body Oars and thats what they loook like, oars that have yards of velcro starps to accomodate my large leg demensions. I am to strap these oars to my leg and "go for a run" in the water.
My new health insurance supplement ( to medicare) has Silver Sneakers...which is a membership to the Y and use of a wonderful state of the art swimming pool.
OK All ready right? WRONG! I cannot even get out my front door unassisted. I cant drive, I cannot manually power a chair and carry all my stuff.
Enter Kate, my step daughter And Marie my daughter in law... they agreed to help me. Kate pushes me around and Marie drives and carries my stuff. I am so blessed.
I figured it would be easier for me to get dressed here at home, so I put on my swimsuit and clothes over it. I pack a bag and towels and extra clothes...grab the oars and my lifejacket....make a pile by my wheelchair and wait.
We decided that night time would be the best time since all my grandchildren would be in bed. Honestly I think Kate abnd Marie like the kidfree time in the hot tub whilewaiting for me.
Anyway Day 1 included getting me and all my stuff to the Y. I found the Handicapped dressing area, got all ready and wheeled to the pool.
Step one was to put on my lifejacket. Oh how funny. I got all stapped in .. and Kate went to get my oars. I floated away. Understand that I float well even without the jacket...I float really well...no treading , nothing...I jjust float. I float like a coleman canoe, on top of the water. put me in a lifejacket and its like putting a rubber raft UNDER a coleman canoe. Kate retrieved me from the ropes and I was ready to put on the oars.Thank goodness the steps have hand rails. I held onto the rails floated over the steps and Kate and Marie strapped on the oars. My knees are to be immobilized so the straps are tight...ok so here I am ready to "run". I float myself to the deep end and assume a verticle position.  I am to stride ...long steps non stop for 15 minutes  or 400 strides...whichever comes first. I check the clock and decide when to stop. I begin striding. This is easy. I am moving! The water (an old friend) embraces me, supports me...I stride. This is easy...it feels so good. Kate and Marie head off to the hot tub...I stride. I talk to the lifeguards other people in the pool, just striding. I am usin my arms now. It looks sort of like people power walking, but no  sweat, no pain, Hm music would be nice.